Page 49 of Her Shifter Pack

I opened my mouth to reply, then realized I may have made a fatal error there. “Oh my God, I didn’t even think about how that might make you feel. That’s... I’m so sorry... Is that not allowed?”

Ollie cupped my face with a hand and drew me closer, then kissed my lips. “Hmmm,” he hummed, before pulling away again. “Of course, that’s okay. It will help you two bond. I was just surprised.”

“I was, too,” I said, agreeing with him. “You and I get along so easily, it’s like we’ve been together forever. But Markus...”

“It’s different. I get it. But you two still click, don’t you?”

I didn’t want to tell Ollie how hot the session against the wall had truly been. Would he be jealous?

So, I settled for, “Yeah, we click. There’s a lot of chemistry, but he’s resistant to choosing me. That’s why I think he went off with Nancy this afternoon.”

Ollie’s lips twisted. “You think she was telling the truth? I’ll be fucking furious with him if that’s the case.”

I chewed on my lip and thought about it for a moment. “There was something off about her story. Her tone was strange. I can’t explain it.”

“But you honestly think my brother would have left here and gone to fuck a chick that he’s never wanted? Never really dated. Has always thought of as a booty call and nothing else.”

With every word I felt sicker and even worse than before. “You’re not making me feel better.”

Ollie laughed at that. “That’s because you’re a woman. And I mean that in the best way possible. Men can separate heart and body. Love and sex.”

I pouted. “I know women can do that too.” Obviously, Nancy could. “Not me so much, but just saying... it’s not just men.”

Ollie ran his hand over my leg. “I know. And Nancy is the perfect example. But what I mean to say, is that Markus has never loved any of the women he’s been with. To him they’re toys... a workout.”

“What about with me?” I whispered. It hadn’t felt to me like he’d treating our sessions like a workout, or me as a sex toy. The look in his eyes when he stared at me, the soft touches and affection afterwards... none of it felt cold or empty.

Or maybe I was delusional, and I was just another notch on Markus’s very notched headboard.

“We’ll ask him when he gets home,” Ollie said, brushing my hair out of my face and gently tucking it behind my ear.

I loved how affectionate and caring he was all the time.

I stared at him. “How come you’re still single when you’re so awesome?”

He burst out laughing. “Because I was waiting for you! The woman who was meant for me, who makes my heart pound and my breath catch in my throat.”

I leaned forward and kissed him again. “Don’t forget to mention the electric buzzing thing. Which, by the way, weirded your mom out. As soon as I told her about you two keeling over, she left.”

Ollie’s jaw tightened and his lips thinned at the mention of his mother. “I can’t believe she came over here and dared to tell you that you’re not good enough for us. She’s the one who taught us that women are special and should be respected.”

I snorted. “Obviously, that doesn’t translate to her sons’ mate.”

“I’ll talk to her,” Ollie said, “and sort this out. She should have a lot more respect for the Fated mate bond than she’s displaying. Makes no sense.”

I shrugged and pulled my legs up, curling into a ball and leaning into Ollie’s strength. “I didn’t tell you. I have some job interviews this week. Not just for hospitality stuff, but assistant work as well.”

Ollie wrapped his arms around me. “Sweetheart, I want you to be happy. I don’t care if you work or don’t work. Or if you want to go study or raise babies for the next twenty years.”

“Babies?” I repeated, pulling back to stare up into his face. “I hadn’t thought about... you want kids? How many are we talking?”

I also hadn’t thought about the fact that I could be pregnant already, not until this moment. Should I go and get a morning after pill?

“As many as you want,” Ollie said. “As soon as you can.”

No morning after pill then.

“Really? But we’ve only just met.” I couldn’t believe that this amazing man wanted to commit to me so strongly after such a short time knowing each other.

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